Page 142 of Alastair

He snarled instead. “Absolutely not.” It was so much more pleasing than a smile. Because it was so him.

Michael sprang toward Belphegor, both of them summoning their soul weapons. Swords of fire lit up the darkness as flames danced along the blades. The flames of Michael’s turned blue.

The celestial warriors clashed with the fallen angels. Flashes of white wings and black ones and gleams of steel were all that could be seen as they fought, moving too quickly for the eye to follow. Booms of thunder echoed in the valley as angels fell on both sides.

Lucifer had retreated to where the witches continued to chant. His way of ensuring no one interfered with the spell.

“Are you ready?” I asked Clara.

She clutched a satchel that held the ingredients we needed for our own spell. Her hands shook a little. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“You doubt your magic?”

“No. I’m fully confident in my magic. That’s what worries me.” Her green eyes misted over. “I don’t want to lose my boys. Not for a stupid, senseless war like this.”

I rarely embraced people. But I wrapped my arms around Clara and pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you for all you’ve done for us. You’re the little sister I never had.”

She whimpered and pushed her face against my chest. “When I met you guys, I was at a low point in my life. I just got out of a relationship and was grieving my grandmother’s death. I didn’t know where to go or what to do. I was so lost. And you boys found me.” She clung to me tighter. “Every moment has been worth it. Patching you jerks up when you got hurt. Having you all move in and eat all my food. Upping my utility bills. Dealing with zombies, ghouls, and demons. It’s been the best adventure a girl could ever ask for. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Me either.”

Clara pulled back from me and steadied her quivering chin. “Let’s go kick Lucifer’s ass.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lazarus

Lucifer and the witches were impossible to reach. Impossible to stop. Anyone who got too close to the summoning circle was thrown backward. The black moon not only enhanced the magical energy for witches but for all those with mana running through their veins.

Which meant Lucifer was more powerful too.

However, it also gave us an advantage. Ice dragons were already stronger during the winter, so the black moon fueled them even further. Demons with magic, like Phoenix, also felt those effects. He teleported around the battlefield, stabbing enemies and slashing throats quicker than they could see him.

“Fuck, he’s amazing,” Bellamy said with a smile. Blood streaked across his cheek from the Nephilim he’d just decapitated.

“Keep it in your pants, B.” Daman spun in the air and landed a blow to a demon’s face. His sword went through the demon’s skull before sliding back out. “Now’s not the time to eye-fuck your mate.”

Warrin shot a wall of ice at an approaching horde of shades, freezing them in place. He then cut through them with his sword, shattering them. Tiny explosions detonated in their chests as they died.

“Fuck, that’s hot,” Daman muttered.

“Now’s not the time to eye-fuck your mate,” Bellamy repeated in a mocking tone.

“Shut your ugly face.”

“You know damn well this face ain’t ugly.”

Daman rolled his eyes.

“More fighting, less chatting,” I told them.

“Boo. That’s no fun.” When Bellamy glanced at me, his eyes, which had never reacted when our gazes met, transitioned to a familiar shade of blue. The seal had helped hide my desire for Alastair from Lust. Now? He could read me like an open book. “Alastair should be proud of himself. He managed to steal the icy heart of an angel. Though, I admit, sensing desire from you is fucking weird.”

“Pay attention!” I snapped just as a ten-foot-tall demon with a massive war hammer appeared behind him.

Phoenix teleported in the air above the demon and shoved a dagger through the back of its bald head. The giant crashed to the ground, shooting up flurries of snow.

“Thanks, baby.” Bellamy grabbed Phoenix by the collar and drew him in for a quick kiss.